Islamabad: Encroachments in city markets on the rise

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD: The encroachments in different markets of the federal capital are increasing with every passing day due to the negligence of the Capital Development Authority (CDA). The CDA’s Enforcement Directorate despite having huge staff has failed to take timely action against the encroachers who have occupied footpaths and walkways in the markets. The encroachments are not only troubling the visitors to these markets but also marring the beauty and peace of the area. Aabpara, Faizabad, Melody, Blue Area, Supper Market, Karachi Company and shopping centres in different sectors of the city are main hubs of encroachers. The shopkeepers in different markets, especially in Blue Area and Aabpara have displayed their goods right on the footpaths blocking the passage of visitors and pedestrians. In Faizabad the encroachers have occupied a major portion of the road and footpath and their stalls are only troubling the pedestrians but also causing traffic jams. The CDA takes action against only small vendors having no connections in the authority and turns a blind eye to the illegal stalls set up in front of shops or on footpaths, said a senior official of CDA. He said shopkeeper had encroached large areas in front of their shops with the connivance of the CDA Enforcement Directorate officials. Not only the shopkeepers but also restaurants in different parts of the city have encroached CDA land and other vacant places to display their items and as a result the visitors to the markets suffer a lot, he said. He said the lower grade employees of the directorate were receiving monthlies from the vendors and shopkeepers, which was the main factor leading to rise in encroachments in the city. fazal sher

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